KAMPALA – Since the war broke out in Sudan in 2013, many refugees especially women and children have flocked Uganda.
Many of these children have now become youths; they are looking for what to do to sustain their lives and not only benchmark on the help from the different Non-Government Organisations.
Government together with different agencies in a skilling program, have trained these youths in vocational studies like tailoring, building, hair dressing, carpentry among other skills that can enable them earn a living.
Somesto Stina, 23, a hairdresser who takes care of her child and some relatives says the skilling program has helped her a lot as she can get money to sustain her with the people she lives with. Somesto says she was a hawker in the camp and used to get little money yet she could work hard and tire.
“Life was not easy, I could move to the market and buy cassava, and I fry it and move home to home selling it. Hair dressing can really help and change your life, if you compare my life from the previous two years to where I am now, the change is really visible,” she shares.
Different youths have benefited from this program and do not regret dedicating their time to learning the skills.
Obiti Muhamad, a builder says after enrolling for the program, he cannot stay Idle or chew mairungi and take all sorts of drugs, because he is always thinking very fast on what to do now that he has the skill.
According to Christopher Komakech from the Norwegian Refugee Council, the program’s goals and objectives are being realised as refugees’ lives are changing for the better.
“We are now seeing the impact of the training across the youth as they are now able to earn income which they can use to get themselves basic needs for their households,” he shared.
The program that is supported by the European Union has benefited more than 2000 youths in West Nile, Northern Uganda and Kiryandongo.
